Detachable subframe for vehicles



1.565.624 R. CHILTON v DETACHABLE SUBFRAME FOR VEHICLES Filed Aug.. 11, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Deco 15,

IIIIIl ,.nlllllwml VEA/Ton R. CHILTQN DETACHABLE SUBFRAME FOR VEHICLES Dec. 15, 1925- Filed Aug. 11, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. l5, 1925/.;

uNrrsDfsTArEs PATENT g OFFICE.

ROLAND CHILTON, OF KEYPORT, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO AEROMARINE PLANE ,AND MOTOR COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

DETACHABLE sUBraAME non vEHIoLE's.

i Application led August 11, 1924. Serial No. 731,373.

T0 all whom z't may concern:

Be it known that I, ROLANDV CHILTON, a subject of the King of England, and a resident of Keyport, in the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and" useful Improveand improved structure for obtaining the,

ments in Detachable Subframes for Vehicles, of which the followingis a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formingV part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improved subframe for carrying the power plant and transmission units 'of a vehicle, for quick detachment, and aims at providing new narrowing in the width at the forward end of the frame such as is necessary on most road vehicles.

The prese t showing indicates a relatively narrow subrame for the purpose of af fording clearance for a large front wheel steering angle and a relatively wide main frame suited to large body capacity. The side members of the sub-frame and the main frame are both preferably straight and parallel in plan as ect and are made to lap each other so t at a considerable portion of the rear of the sub-frame lies between the forward portion of the main frame side members. The main frame is provided with a cross member adapted to engage the rear ends ofthe'sub-frame while ,the sub-,frame is provided with a cross member extending laterally to engage the front ends of the main frame.

The front end of the vehicle is sup orted by the frontjwheels, whichare attac ed to the sub-frame, whence it will be seen that the end of the main lframe bears downwardly relative to the end of the sub-frame cross member, whilst the end of the, subframe bears downwardly on the main frame cross member.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide quickly severable but rigid connections between the sub-frame and the main frame, and to this end the connections are provided with shelves or abutments adapted to support the loads at cach point. Thus an upwardly facing shelf or lip on each extension of the sub-frame cross member engages the under-side of a' suitable block in each main frame member, whilst a projection at the rear of the sub-frame rests upon an engaging face in the main frame cross member. `These faces therefore su port the loads independently of the etachable fastening means which prevent separation in a horizontal direction, which is the unloaded direction as re ards the weight of the vehicle and its load.

The sub-frame withdraws from the main frame by movement forwardly along the longuide the same into correct assembled posi` tion. In a similar way chamfersare provide'd to aliord a tapered entrancefor the ends of the sub-frame cross member between the engaging blocks at the end of the main frame. Thus the sub-frame is guided into .correct'positiom when backed into the-main frame for assembly, accurate manual adjust- Y mentfor this operation being unnecessary.

The fitting atv the end of the sub-frame is providedv with a vertical face engaging a corresponding face on the main frame cross member and a draw bolt passing through a hole in the cross member with an ample clearance maintains the Y arts in ri 'd assembled relationship.- e extende ends ofthe sub-frame cross member have similar vertical faces which are also drawn against corres ndin faces on themain frame b P0 g y a drawbolt at each connection.

It will be seenthat the four bolts which secure-the frame connections are inde ent of chassis load which is taken by solid abutments in each case, thus the bolts may be withdrawn with the full load on the.

chassis While ample clearance can be provided in the bolt holes thus preventing difficulty due to possible distortion of the parts. It will be noted that in disassembled rela-- tion the over-lapping ends of the sub-frame and the main frame are relatively HeXible -sidewise so that the parts will not be strained when the vertical faces are pulled up into accurate contact by the draw bolts, even though inaccuracies inmanufacture or distortions due to use should develop. Tn the same way, when the bolts are withdrawn there are no tightly fitted parts such as could cause difficult disassembly.

Tn the structure featured the bending` moments on the cross members are relatively large, especially on the sub-frame cross member, which extends to a considerable distance on either side of the sub-frame members. This cross member cannot be conveniently placed above or below the subframe and a special construction is here featured so that the extended ends of theV cross member are adequately connected in such a way as not to reduce the strength of the sub-frame members; As before stated, the load at the extended ends of the sub-frame cross member are downwards and hence the top element of this lmember is in tension. This element in the speciic built-up cross member of the showing takes the frm of a Hat strip laid down across the top of the sub-frame side members and suitablysecured to the extending arms of the cross member structure.- The lower side of the cross member structure is in compression which is taken, intermediate of the side frames, by a member which is conveniently made of channel section. Af throughbolt engaging the extending arm members towards the bottom of the sub-framemembers ties the parts together against movement under possible reversed loads. This, in conjunction with the securing of the top flange of the channel member to the upper or tension member, adequately resists the .shearing or lateral forces. 1t will be seen from vthe foregoing that without materially increasing the height of the sub-frame, extending arms of relatively great strength have been provided. y

The main frame cross member does not cross the side members which it connects and la continuous member of conveniently tubular section is accordingly shown.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will be in part apparent from an inspectionlof the accompanying drawingsv and in; art will be more fully set forth in'the ollowing particular description of one form embodying my invention,

and the invention .also consists in certain new and novel features of construction and combmatlon of parts herelnafter set, forth aeeaoee In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invention and illustrates a vehicle main frame having a sub-frame connected thereto in the improved manner.

Figure 2 is a plan View of the same and in which there is shown power plant and transmission units supported thereon.

Figure/3 is a side elevation of Fig. 2 partly in section, the section being taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2 and as looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 diagrammatically illustrates the sub-frame cross member in elevation.

Tn the present instance 10 and 11 designate two main frame members preferably disposed parallel to one another on which the vehicle is supported. A cross tube 12 separates these members and is rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner the rivets 13.

ltigidly secured to the tube 12 in spaced apartl relation are a pair of blocks 14 each of which constitute one element of a coupling 15. These blocks are provided with upwardly extending guides 16 the corners of which are chamfered or beveled as at 17, and flat vertical faces are formed thereon as at 18.

Adjacent the ends 19, 2O of the main frame members 10 and 11 there are secured a further pair of blocks 21, 22 one for each frame member. 'These blocks also have a flat vertical face 23 in addition to which there has been provided an under iat horizontal as by i face' 24.

ln will be seen in the drawings that the cross tube 12 is located at a substantial dise flange, and lower or compression elementsv 29, 30 and 3l also forming a ange and connected with the upper tension element by the web portions -31. Suitable openings 31b (Fig. 4) are provided in the web portions for the reception of the side members 26, 27. The elements forming the cross member 28 may be joined together in any suitable manner. as for instance by casting the entire cross member assemblage in one piece. In the showing of Fig. l, however, the tension element 33 is composed of a fiat strip of substantial thickness and secured to the web portions 31a by rivets 34. The portions 29, 30 of the com- Lacasse necting web 4poitions are adapted to eXtend laterally on either side of the side members 26, 27 and form the support for the mai-nframe members 10, 11, rlhese laterally extendingportions are provided with a,

Hat vertical face and an upwardly disposed horizontal face form abutments and which are adapted to engage the aforesaid faces 23,

v24 of, the blocks 21, 22 for they support of the main frame. |llhe cornershave been chamfered as at 37 to facilitate the introduction of these parts.

ln the showing of Fig. 4 which diagrammatically illustrates the essential elements of the cross member28 it will be seen that the compression elements 29, 30 and 31 are interrupted by the openings 31h. It will be understood, however, that when this cross member 28 is secured to the side members 26, 27 the compression elements will in eilect be continuous. It will be further understood that when the load` is appliedA to the ends of the laterally extending portions 29, 30 these elements together with the. portion 31 will be under compression and theupper element 33 will be subjectto tension. A through-bolt 33n engages the elements v29, 30 towards the lower portion of the frame and ties the parts together against movement under possible reversed-loads.

It will be seen that the sub-frame members 26, 27 have been spaced apart so as to frame ,in any suitable manner are the second elements 41 of the coupling 15, said elements: 41 being provided with pointed projections 42jadapted to rest on the blocks 14 and restrained from'lateral movementV thereon by the guides 16.

- These coupling elements 41 are also-provided with flat vertical faces 43 y`to engage the faces 18 of the blocks 14 and the projections 42 are beveled at 44 soV as to co-act with similarly beveled portions 45 on the` blocks when the sub-frame is longitudinally moved into position.

Horizontally tapped holes 46f are' provided in the end of the supporting members 29. `3() and further tapped holes 47 are provided in the elements 41 ofthe coupling 15 to receive the draw bolts 48 and 49 which pass through clearance holes. in the mainframe:

members at the sides and the the rear respectively.

With reference to Figs. 2 and 3 there is shown the manner in which the power plant and transmission units are supported on the blocks 14 at sub-frame. A gear housing 51 is/secured to and supported between the two frame members 26, 27 and a bell housing 52 secured to the motor 53 is supported on the frame members as shown and attached thereto by kthe bolts 54. A nose 55 of the motor. engages the gear housing 5l. rlhe form of the conventional type of motor usually pro- .vides a clearance at 56 which is eiiciently utilized in the present instance for the disposition of the cross member 28. Variations may be resorted to within the sco'pe of the invention and portions of thel improvements may be used without the others.

lljlaving' thus described my invention, l c aim 1. ln a detachable power plant support-` ing unit for a vehicle the combination of, a relatively wide vehicle main frame terminating behind thefront 'wheels of the vehicle so as to afford yclearance for the steering thereof, a relatively narrow power plant frame, each fralneincludingtwo side members spaced apart, the power plant side members spaced less than the. mainframe side members, a cross member rigid 'with the vehicle frame and spaced from the ends there- 1 of andadapted tfor engagement by the ends of the power plant frameand a cross member,F rigid with the power plant frame and intermediate the ends thereof and extended to detachably engage the ends of the ve-y hicle` frame.

'. 2. In a vehicle frame, thecombination of i lof their length between the side members in widely spaced relation, across member rigid with the sub-frame-members and' extending `laterally therefrom to detachably r engage theside members adjacent their ends,

and a cross member adaptedto detaehably i engage and support the endsv of the sub-` I frame and to members'.

3. The combination with a vehicle maint: l

frame, of a detachable subframe adapted to forma relatively narrow frame extension.-l

rigidlyconnect the frame side l y width of the vehicle frame to afford `a: turn.- A

ing space for wheels on either side, a cross' member rigid with ,the vehicle frame,a rigid cross member disposed intermediate the ends of the sub-frame and extending laterally 'therefrom t'o engagefthe main frame .mem-

bers. adjacent their ends, 'and meansat an end of each longitudinal member for engag ing the cross member secured to the vehicle frame. f

A4: In a kvehicle the combination with a pair of main frame longitudinal members, of `a pair oflongitudinals constituting a separable sub-frame forming a relatively narrow extension to the main frame to permit steering of the wheels to extreme angles, a cross member rigid with the main frame members to support-the rear ends ofthe sub-frame, a laterally extending cross member rigid with the sub-frame longitudinals and disposed at the ends of the main frame, means on the main frame cross'member to detachably engagethe ends `of the sub-frame members, and means on the main -frame members to Yletachably engage the sub-frame cross mem- 5. In a vehicle frame, incombination, a cross member, a pairof main longitudinal membersspaced apart by the cross member Y and, a sub-frame -cross member, a pair of sub-framev longitudinal members,` spaced apart by the cross member to lie between the main frame side members in spaced relation thereto, the sub-frame cross member laterally extending at the rear ofthe road wheels and engaging the main' frame longitudinale adjacent their ends', and means at an end of the sub-frame longitudinals Jfor engaging the main frame cross member.

-"6. rlhe ,combination of a vehicle frame having a pair of longitudinal members terminating at the rear of the road wheels to avoid steering interference and connected by a cross member, an extension constituting a4 sub-frame comprising a pair of longitudinals adapted in' assembled relation to lie between the main frame longitudinals in widely spaced relation therefrom and to engage at their ends the main frame cross member, and a cross member rigid with said sub-frame longitudinals and extended on each side to engage the ends of the main frame.

' 7. ln apparatus of the class described, the combination of, apair of main frame longitudinal members adapted to be supported upon the wheels, a cross member secured between the longitudinals remote from their ends, a pair of sub-frame longitudinal members supported upon wheels and spaced apart from the main frame longitudinals, a cross member secured to the sub-frame longitudinals intermediate their ends and laterally extended behind the YWheels towards the main frame longitudinals, an upwardly facing abutment on the ends of the sub-frame cross member to support the ends of the main frame members, a downwardly facing abutment at the ends of the sub-frame, means on the main frame cross member adaptedto engage said abutment for the support ofthe sub-frame.

8. In a separable vehicle frame, the combination ofa main frame having two side members spaced apart in fixed relation, a sub-frame having two lside members spaced apart in fixed relation and having rear ends unrestricted against relative lateral deflec-l tion; said sub-frame adapted to be longiaaeaeae members adapted to -be partly supported upon wheels, a sub-frame partly supported upon steerable wheels, said sub-frame relatively narrow to permit steering movement of its wheels to extreme angles, the ends of the sub-frame to the' rear of the steerable wheels being disposed between the main frameside members, demountable coupling mea'ns on the main frame having guiding elements for the reception and support of the sub-frame ends, demountable coupling means on the sub-frame for the support of the main frame ends, and means to prevent the separation of said couplings.

10. In a vehicle, the combination of a pair of spaced apart longitudinal lmain frame members adapted to be supported upon wheels, a sub-frame including a pair of members spaced apart and supported upon steerable wheels, transversely disposed tie members for both the main frame and the sub-frame, the sub-frame members spaced fromand partly disposed between the main frame members and extending beyond the ends thereof in a manner as to prevent wheel steering interference with the main frame, the inner ends of the sub-frame adapted to be engaged and supported on the main frame tie member, laterally extending portions on the sub-frame tie member adapted to engage and support the ends of the main frame, and means adapted to secure the main frame and the sub-frame in assembled relation.

11. In a vehicle frame, the combination of a main frame having a pair of longitudinal members, a sub-frame therebetween, a cross member on the main frame, means on the cross member adapted to be engaged by the ends of the sub-frame, a cross member for 'the sub-frame laterally yextending therev apart longitudinal side members, a cross member rigidly connecting said side members,'a sub-frame comprising side members spaced apart and adapted to be disposed between the main frame sidememberfs, a tie .means rigidly connecting the sub-frame members, laterally extending members secured on either side of the sub-frame, said members aligned with the tiemeans and with the ends of the main frame, coupling means adapted to support the ends of the sub-frame on the cross member said coupling means comprising members attached to the' ends of the sub-frame and the cross member respectively, further coupling means comprising members secured to the ends of the main frame and ada ted to be engaged by said laterally exten ing members `for the support of the main frame ends thereon, and means to prevent separation of the couplings aforesaid.

13. In apparatus of the class described, a pair of mainframe side members, a sub-` frame disposed between and extending be- -yond said main frame members, a sub-frame end su porting cross member rigid with the main rame, a main frame end supporting cross member rigid with the sub-frame, the last said cross member extending across the sub-frame members at. the end ofthe main frame, and interlocking connections on said 1 main frame, a main frame su porting `cross member rigid with the vsubrame and extending -therebeyond to' engage the ends rof the mainframe, and.. demountable connections at the points of-,sup'ports lset forth adapted for the quicklseparation `of the parts i' ai .315."In apparatusof.the"class` described,

the combination ofa main framejcomprising e 'a pair. of side members :adapted to lbesu ported upon wheels, a sub-frame' having si e members partly supported upon steerable wheels anddis vbetween.-the ,main

'-ramle `members in. spaced, relation, said subframe'members extendingA forwardly beyond the main frame, a arosememberr rigid with" the'main frame and adapted jimfengage and supportl the "rearend o Y I e l p cross member ri v'd with the .sub-frame and. #extending latere ytherebeyondto the `'real-1 vof thejst'eerable wheelsto engage the forf` ward ends of thev main -frame members, and]` f oactingt-horizontal l'faces .at-the points NofV engagement for., the support ofthe vehicle upon said frames in t the"l subfframe, a

eir assembled relation.vv n f '16. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a mainframe'comprilsing side members, a sub-frame having side mem- I v bers disposed 'between and extending `forb ri 'd with the 'main frame y y a cross mem er g1 l cross Ppgp www wardly beyond the ends ofthe main frame,

and supporting the inner .ends of the frame, a cross member rigid with the subrame and extendi laterally therefrom to engage the ends of the main frame said cross member comprising an upper 'tension elementcrossing the side members, a lower compression element, and web portions extended between and beyond the side members and uniting said elements to form an extended load supporting girder.

17. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of, a mainframe, a subframe, a rigid cross member for each frame constituting the supporting means for the ends of the other frame, the main frame cross member including` guidingl elements adapted to receive and support the ends of the sub-frame, the sub-frame cross member including an upper flange forming a tension element and extending across the upper portion of the side members, a lower dange forming a compression element, web portions connecting said tension and compressionel-ements, and means at the ends of said cross. member to engage and support the ends of the main frame. 4 18. In a vehicle, the combination of a subframe having a pair of side members, a cross member connecting the side members inter-- mediate their ends and extendin laterally therefrom on either side, engaging means atene of the ends of each side member, a

main frame comprising a pair of side members. havingA engaging means'at their ends and connected by av cross member, `a pair of blocks secured to the main frame cross member, said blocks having guiding means adapted to receive and locate theY engaging means ofthe sub-frame when movedv into ppsition between the main frame side memrs, the laterally-'extending portions'of the subframe crossmember being ada ted to co'act with theengaging` means at t e; ends `01E-the main vframe side'members in -formin a rigid connectiomand means to maintain'the points of engagements between the tion.

. 19. The combination witha vehicle hav'-` ing a supporting'main frame, of a sub-frame jhaving spaced apart side members, a cross member or connecting the sub-frame with thev mainframe lcoinprisinga tension ele ment laidvacross the side members and ex-f tending' thereb'c tvveen, a compression ele ment disposed between the side members and secured to tlietens'ionifiieinbeif in restraint of shearing distortion in combinationfwith extension members secured i tothe extended ends of thetension member andto the outsideof'the side members. r i

20. The combination of a sub-frame 'having a pair ofspaced-apartlongitudinale `a vehicle mainframe having a'pair of relativelywider .spaced apart longitudinale, `al

110'v subirameand the main frame fixed rela- 4.

@g Y i l .memes .flanges connected to form a grder and, exlongitudinals by more than tk@ thickness of tending beyond the sub-frame longtudinals the flanges.

to the main frame longitudinals the upper Signed at Keyport, n the county of Mon- 1 flange of the cross member being laid across mouth and State of New Jersey this 8th 5 the upper surface of the longitudnals day oAugust A. D., 1924.

whereby the de th of the complete structure shall not excee the depth of the sub-frame ROD CHILTON. 

